Best States To Live? Low COLA/Taxes, High Quality of Life, etc.?

[CORVETTE]

Thinking of moving. Tired of State Income Tax, Personal Property Tax, Emissions tests and State vehicle inspections, etc.

Where are great places to call home, which afford a great quality of life, infrastructure, and low cost of living?

Prefer the South, but don't think as far South as Florida fits my bill, but I'll remain open to hear your take. Thanks!

[JRD77VET]

When my step Dad retired, he and my mom were in NC. They moved to FL. Retirement was based out of NC and he still had to pay NC state tax on that income in addition to FL tax.

They currently reside in WV.

I highly suggest consulting a tax expert in the state you are thinking about moving to to verify it's acceptable to you.

I also suggest making sure various fees ( car registration/ property taxes ) and also firearm laws if that's important to you.

[Kerrmudgeon]

You left out crime levels.

[C5Nate]

Where you at now?

[Ruffy]

I'd say Idaho but it isn't a southern state. It has all the taxes but most counties don't have emissions and a generally low cost of living.

Texas has no income tax but property tax is crazy.

Alaska has no income tax or sales tax and they give you money every year to live there but everything costs more.

So..beats the hell out of me.

[DAB]

We like it here. All things considered.

[Admiral Blue]

Illinois.


On a serious note...TN or SD.

[Uncle Meat]

I'm pretty happy with Alabama to be honest. It fits most all of your requirements.

U.M.

[jaxgator]

I know you said you weren't very interested in FL but I like it here in Jacksonville.

Great weather!

No state income tax.

7.5% sales tax.

No vehicle inspections tax.

Average property taxes.

[CORVETTE]

Originally Posted by Uncle Meat

I'm pretty happy with Alabama to be honest. It fits most all of your requirements.

U.M.

I hear more and more good things about Alabama. Especially when compared to Florida.

Low COLA and such, but what about income taxes, etc.?

[CORVETTE]

Originally Posted by jaxgator

I know you said you weren't very interested in FL but I like it here in Jacksonville.

Great weather!

No state income tax.

7.5% sales tax.

No vehicle inspections tax.

Average property taxes.

Homeowners/property insurance?

[CORVETTE]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

I'd say Idaho but it isn't a southern state. It has all the taxes but most counties don't have emissions and a generally low cost of living.

Texas has no income tax but property tax is crazy.

Alaska has no income tax or sales tax and they give you money every year to live there but everything costs more.

So..beats the hell out of me.

I think Texas, while attractive in many ways is good, their property taxes would keep me from living there.

[BigJoe]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

I'd say Idaho but it isn't a southern state. It has all the taxes but most counties don't have emissions and a generally low cost of living.

Texas has no income tax but property tax is crazy.
Alaska has no income tax or sales tax and they give you money every year to live there but everything costs more.

So..beats the hell out of me.

Property tax in TX is high but is capped once you hit 65 years of age. My tax is about $2400 on a $175K house. Peanuts compared the NJ or some other states...

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

When my step Dad retired, he and my mom were in NC. They moved to FL. Retirement was based out of NC and he still had to pay NC state tax on that income in addition to FL tax.

They currently reside in WV.

I highly suggest consulting a tax expert in the state you are thinking about moving to to verify it's acceptable to you.

I also suggest making sure various fees ( car registration/ property taxes ) and also firearm laws if that's important to you.

There is no FL tax

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by jaxgator

I know you said you weren't very interested in FL but I like it here in Jacksonville.

Great weather!

No state income tax.

7.5% sales tax.

No vehicle inspections tax.

Average property taxes.

My sales tax is 6%...did your county add a tax?

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by CORVETTE

I hear more and more good things about Alabama. Especially when compared to Florida.

Low COLA and such, but what about income taxes, etc.?

There is state income tax, but it's reasonable. Property taxes are very low (with a few exceptions). It's not a bad place to be.

[...Whitepower...]

As asked previously it would help to know what city and state you are coming from so we know your frame of reference.

For example. Some people that are from the south move to Atlanta and complain about property taxes. Meal while i came from NY where i was paying $4k for an 1300sq/ft house in property/school taxes, and moved to Atlanta where i pay $2700 for taxes on a 3200 sq/ft house with an unfinished basement. Based on what i was accustomed to, i made out.

Also how old are you? Many states have senior property tax exemptions. My dad retired from NY and lives around the corner from me now.. He went form $9k a year in property tax for a 2400sq/ft houseon 3 acres in NY to $650 here on .65 of an acre with 2200sq/ft.

The state tax at 4% and county tax at 4.125% up there lead a total of 8.25%. Here it's 6% with it being 4% for state and 2% for county. That's a nice benefit based on what i was accustomed too.

We need to know where you are coming from and what you are currently paying in order to suggest a move that may be advantageous for you.

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by CORVETTE

I think Texas, while attractive in many ways is good, their property taxes would keep me from living there.

Property tax varies greatly throughout Texas, and they make up for it by not taxing the shit out of you elsewhere. Homes are very cheap, gas is cheap, no state income tax, etc...

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

Property tax varies greatly throughout Texas, and they make up for it by not taxing the shit out of you elsewhere. Homes are very cheap, gas is cheap, no state income tax, etc...

The property taxes are all over the place. If you get enough acreage (between 10-25acres) and get the Ag exemption, you property will be extremely reasonable. My inlaws pay less than $300 a year on their 154 acres.

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

The property taxes are all over the place. If you get enough acreage (between 10-25acres) and get the Ag exemption, you property will be extremely reasonable. My inlaws pay less than $300 a year on their 154 acres.

And pick a county that has lots of industry, and it drops significantly as well. When we were looking, it was about $2200 in League City, but only $1000 for the same size in Galveston Cty.